Organisation, Direct Action, Treatment

Abstract

Government uses nodality, treasure and authority as the mainstay of many of its activities. But these are not, of course, the only resources available to it for effecting purposes. There is another shot in the locker. The final resource of government that was considered in Chapter 1 is ‘organisation’ — a label for a stock of land, buildings and equipment, and a collection of individuals with whatever skills they may have, in government’s direct possession. ‘Organisation’ betokens capacity and capability — armies in government’s own service instead of mercenaries.

we found in one small area around Aldershot alone civil servants operating a gravel-pit, a saw-mill, a sign-writing centre, a foundry, joinery and woodworking shops, a machinery maintenance workshop and a printing business. Elsewhere there were nurseries producing shrubs and trees, installations supplying domestic water, treating sewage, sweeping roads and similar activities.

(Chapman, 1978, p. 51)